Politics: Umahi must apologize for denying APC use of Abakaliki stadium – Oshiomhole

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Governor of Ebonyi State, chief David Umahi to tender apology for denying the party the use of the Abakaliki township stadium for their rally in the state.

Oshiomhole made this call while addressing party faithful in Ebonyi during the APC rally that took place at the APC ground, beside the Offia Nwali flyover, presco junction, Abakaliki.

He said that the governor should not overuse his powers, adding that he (Adams) felt bad when he heard that the governor whom he described as his friend could deny his party the use of the township stadium.

He said: “When the people are determined, no obstacle will stop them. I hope he will apologize to his people for denying them access to the stadium.

“I was governor before, I allowed PDP access to the stadium as many times as they wanted. It is just about being civilized. And any time, the President is coming to the state, I rolled red carpet to receive him even when I will abuse the party the following day. Assuming that everybody matters is a hallmark of leadership.
“When you refuse to display power, when everybody knows you have it, you even become more powerful. When you abuse power, you simply become so small and so powerless. Let me say this, two weeks ago we were in Ekiti and that was my first question paper after my election.

“My dear friend there. He is even my aboromi (younger friend), Fayose said he is a rock. If he falls on you he will crush you and if you fall on him you get crushed. Now, within 24hours, he was on the ground crying. I said, no, why should you cry? I was to travel to Ekiti, but PDP government stopped me.

“But with my PVC, we destroyed them out of power. They should learn lessons from that. He who abuse power, abuse will await him. What I want to tell my friend is that the stadium belongs to the people, the governor is the manager of this public facility. The Manager does not drive away the shareholders.

“You are the shareholders and I don’t want to say more than that. But if I’m pushed I will ask the people question. If we were to take it in other level and the federal government decides that the Governor should not drive on the federal government roads, what happens? Somebody said he will fly. What if we stopped him from flying through federal government airport? What happens?” He stated.

The chairman, however welcomed some defectors, including senator Sunny Ogbuoji representing Ebonyi South senatorial zone, former SSG of Ebonyi State Prof Bernard Odoh, former minister of power and steal Chief Goddy Ogbaga, former speaker of Ebonyi State house of Assembly, Chief Augustine Nwankwoagu, among others.

Earlier in a remark, the minister of science and technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said that South-east must be in the mainstream of Nigerian politics.
“Let me warn that if every member of APC in Ebonyi will get their PVC, it means that APC is wining the 2019 election in Ebonyi,” he added.

Senator Ogbuoji, who responded on behalf of the defectors said APC in Ebonyi had no faction but called on some people whom he described as aggrieved members to comeback.

“I feel bad that some of our members who feel aggrieved are not here, but as far as I’m concerned, there is no faction in APC in Ebonyi,” he added.

But, in a swift reaction, the state governor, Chief David Umahi, who spoke through his Chief Press secretary, Emma Uzor said “don’t mind Oshiomhole; there is nothing to apologize for. They shifted their rally to 11th.

“Moreover what ever facilities they used in Ebonyi, the road, the place they stayed, the flyover and the street light belong to Ebonyi State government. Why are they crying? Oshiomhole is rather disappointed by the rejection of APC by the people of Ebonyi State. We have no apology,” he stated.